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General
Men
& Women: Not equal when it comes to health & wellness
Besides the obvious reproductive differences, women and men are very different
when it comes to health and wellness. Equality between the sexes does
not necessarily mean that the sexes are the same. In many aspects of health,
men and women differ -- for example, they typically develop different
diseases and can be affected by diseases differently. Women and men also
respond differently to treatment. This article discusses the major issues
including how gender-based biology and socio-political factors including
the overwhelming gender bias in the field of medical research affects
health. Go
>>
Source: HealthGate.com
Feeling
a little SAD?
Women are especially prone to developing SAD during the sun sparse
days in the winter. SAD is a psychiatric condition which, medical researchers
believe, is related to the greatly reduced exposure to sunlight. Go
>>
Source: HealthGate.com
Breast
Cancer Resources
Offering resources for women who want to know more about breast cancer,
here you'll find both online and print resources listed. Go
>>
Source: Self.com
Hung
-over?
Of course these is no cure for being hung -over (unless you consider prevention
of course!). But you may be able to lessen the pounding head, and cotton
mouth the morning after by following these band-aid 'solutions'. This
article also makes the point that the "one drink / one hour"
rule was created for men, and since women's bodies deal with alcohol differently,
this is a rule that will mean that hangovers continue. Go
>>
Source: Estronaut.com
Understanding
Breast changes
Women's breasts change throughout their lives in response to life changes
like child rearing and aging. This well written and very informative site
gives guidelines to tell the normal changes apart from changes that are
cause for concern. Bonus: Glossary links included throughout the page.
Go
>>
Source: National Institute of Health
News
Killer Pumps! Take care of your knees
Women can have pathological attachments to shoes that kill their feet.
My favourite pair of dress shoes have heels that make me feel like I'm
in the clouds - not surprising as they make me a good 3 inches taller!
Of course, there is always a price to pay for vanity. This study from
Harvard Medical School says that my knees are paying for it. (I still
love them anyway) Go
>>
Source: IntelliHealth
Calendar
of Women's Health Events
Learn about conferences and events which focus on health issues that are
important to women and their families. Go
>>
The
National Women's Health Information Center's (NWHIC) Monthly Newsletter
This monthly e-mail newsletter features links to issues in women's health
along with news on new health initiatives and education programs aimed
at improving women's well being. Find out how you can sign up to receive
this information by e-mail. Go
>>
Source: NWHIC
What
should you be afraid of?
The decisions we make in our daily lives have a huge impact on our health.
That's why it's so important that we make these decisions based upon good
information. When asked what's the major health risk for women, most women
incorrectly responded, Breast cancer. Get the real facts here. Go
>>
Source: Women's Health.org
Mental
Health
Women seem to be especially vulnerable to depression and anxiety disorders.
Roughly twice as many women than men will experience an episode. It's
hard to say if this vulnerability stems from the added pressures women
face to be super women (full time workers, full time spouses and full
time mothers). Certainly some of the vulnerability may be connected to
female hormones. Whatever the reasons, this women-centric website is a
complete information resource. Be sure to visit the "Assess,"
"Learn," "Interact" and "Action Plan" buttons
to fully access the information available. Go
>>
Source: Women's Health
Headaches
Women are especially prone to getting headaches. They can be so frequent
and / or incapacitating that you need to seek out the help of a health
care provider to help bring them under control. Since the general term
of headache encompasses many sub-classes that act differently, you'll
need to gather some information so that you can describe them accurately
to your health care provider (and get the help you need) Learn how to
keep a headache diary. Go
>>
Source: Women's Health Interactive
Migraine
Prevention
This guide to the latest preventions and treatments is a clearly written
and very useful tool. Click on the bolded terms enrich your education
experience (i.e. Interested in learning about the bio mechanics of migrane?
Click off to a page that goes into more detail). View a list
of medications for headache treatment with their side-effects. Go
>>
Source: National Headache Foundation
Birth
Control Options
A very complete listing of the birth control options available to women
and their partners. Includes both prescription, barrier, rhythm methods.
It describes how they work, the pros and cons and health contra-indications
and danger signs. Produced by the Feminist Women's Health Center, this
website is strongly pro-choice and includes information on emergency contraception.
Go
>>
Source: Feminist Women's Health Center
Contraception
Information Library
JAMA (the Journal of the American Medical Association) provides an overview
of major contraception articles published in medical literature, with
the abstracts of the studies. These articles are full of medical -ese
and are directed primarily at health care providers. Be sure to check
out the "Best of the Net" section to find links to sites are
judged by JAMA to provide valid and useful information. Go>>
Source: JAMA
Infertility
The
Cost of Conceiving
Money is the number one road block to infertility treatments according
to this article. Learn about "out-come based pricing" and more.
Go
>>
Source: Women.com
Support
Group for Infertile Couples
Talking to others going through the same difficult time may be a way to
gain some type of control over a situation where it is easy to become
overcome with feelings of loneliness and inadequacy. Go
>>
Source: Winfertility
Infertility
work-up
If you have been having trouble getting pregnant after a year of trying,
your doctor will probably get you and your partner to do an infertility
work-up. Here are some of the questions that will be asked in order to
decide that actions need to be taken to help you get pregnant. Go
>>
Source: Women's Health
What
is female infertility?
Of course, this is only half of the infertility equation. Males and females
each account for 40% of infertility; in the remaining 20%, either both
partners are responsible or the cause is unclear. This long article provides
very detailed information -- in some places, the medical language mean
that you have to have another browser open to a medical glossary. Go
>>
Source:Community HealthGate
Understanding
Infertility
This article is a good resource for those who are having problems getting
pregnant because it talks about both the medical (physiological) issues
as well as the emotional issues. Written by a women who talks frankly
about her own experiences, this is a resource that emphasizes the emotional
coping skills as a vital sidecar to medical treatments. Go
>>
Source: Women.com
Irregular
menses may indicate a problem
Polycystic ovary syndrome is a syndrome in which a woman has small cysts
on her ovaries. These small cysts are visible on ultrasound -- however,
most women go undiagnosed as it has few symptoms other than an irregular
menstral cycle. With long term health effects, women with irregular cycles
should read more. Go
>>
Source: MSN Health
Fertility and Pregnancy
Top
10 questions asked by pregnant women
Number one is whether it's safe to dye your hair when pregnant. With
all the answers out there (some from nosey parkers who know little and
talk much), it might be good to begin to educate yourself.Go
>>
Source: IntelliHealth.com
Maternity
Wardrobe planner
Not the most serious web article! But looking good can be important when
your body seems to have a mind of it's own. Go
>>
Source: Women.com
Coping
with Morning sickness
This website offers some non-medicinal remedies to help you cope with
your morning sickness. It also makes food choice suggestions that can
help you avoid (or reduce) incidences of nausea. Go
>>
Source: Patient Medical Assistant
Facts
on Morning sickness
I have a friend that renamed it "morning, noon and night sickness".
This site has a facts page and information on medical treatment. It seems
like this site has a interventionist bias. Go
>>
Source: SOS Morning Sickness
Week-by-Week
guide to pregnancy
Curious to know what's happening? This guide takes you through all the
physiological changes -- both yours and your baby's. Go
>>
Source: StorkNet.com
Birthing
Plans
Imagine going into an event where you are likely
to be physically exhausted, and you know that you will have a number of
important decisions to make. You'd probably like to make a plan and /
or letter which expresses all your wishes clearly, right? Well, going
in to deliver your baby could benefit from the same planning. A birthing
plan will help you communicate when you're too busy panting (breathe,
hee, hee, hee) to talk. Go
>>
Source: My Wed MD.com
Enhancing
your Fertility
With women generally waiting a little longer to start a family, they are
finding that getting pregnant takes a little more planning. After avoiding
pregnancy for so long, many couples are disappointed when it takes several
months (5 - 7 is the average) to conceive. Frustrating when you consider
the unwed teenagers getting pregnant seemly at the drop of a hat. Learning
about your fertility cycle is the place to start. Go
>>
Source: CVPH Women's Health
Looking
for an original way to tell the world that you're pregnant?
Maybe you'll get some ideas from these stories submitted by these parents.
Some are pretty creative. Go
>>
Source: StorkNet
The
Labor Dispute: epidural or natural childbirth
People can get very emotional about "their" side on this issue.
Expectant mothers may feel enormous pressure to join one side or the other.
Mothers, mothers-in-law and friends all seem to think nothing of wading
in on this (and any other issue!). Go
>>
Source: CVPH Women's Health
Preconception
Planning
20 years ago about the only planning that went into getting pregant was
where to make the dinner reservation. Now people are much more aware that
both partner's health before conception has an impact on the health of
the baby. This article makes potential parents aware of issues like genetic
counselling. Go
>>
Source: YourFamilyHealth. com
Baby
Blues
It is fairly common for a woman to have a period of "blues"
immediately following childbirth. With the stress, changes and sleep deprivation!
it's not really a surprise. You may feel weepy, cranky, anxious and tired.
If these feelings continue or become overwhelming, you may be experiencing
post-partum depression. Go
>>
Working
it out: Breastfeeding and the Working mother
The milk bar is always open -- until you have to go back to work. Even
though breastfeeding is recognized by all medical associations as being
an important health issue, some employers might feel uncomfortable with
your needs as a nursing mother. Here are suggestions on how to approach
your boss about how the company can (and should) support you as mother
and employee. Go
>>
Source: LaLeche League
When
Baby makes Three -- Preparing to transition from a family of two
Having a child will change your relationship with your spouse. Of course,
in many ways your baby will deepen the love, but in other ways the addition
of a baby makes demands on the time, energy, and emotional availability
of both partners that can cause the relationship to deteriorate. According
to Keith McDaniel, a marital and family therapist, "The greatest
injustice we do to new parents is not telling them the truth. Typically,
nobody tells you what it's really like." Go
>>
Source: LaLeche League
Exercising
for two
Are you exercising safely while pregnant? Take this interactive quiz to
see if you are staying healthy while staying safe, or if you are pushing
yourself just a little too much. Go
>>
Source: Health.com
Miscarriages
As many as 30 percent of all pregnancies end in miscarriage, half
of them before the woman even realizes she is pregnant. When a miscarriage
occurs, it leaves many parents feeling devastated. Well meaning people
can add to the pain by offering misguided (albeit well-intended) platitudes.
This site recognizes your need to grieve and offers medical information
to dispell any feelings of guilt and / or responsibility. Go
>>
Source: Health Square
Breastfeeding
blueprint from the Health & Human Services Department
Maybe they should have called this the boob-print. (*groan*). This report
gives an overview of the U.S. Government's action plan to encourage breastfeeding
as an important Public Health issue. In PDF format, this document reviews
the benefits of breastfeeding, lists support systems (governmental and
otherwise), and lists the public health objectives and strategies being
implemented to remove the barriers to nursing. Go
>>
Source: 4Women.gov
The
Underbelly
Get the skinny on being pregnant reading these amusing stories submitted
by the women themselves. From the supremely funny, to the informative
to the cautionary tale, it's work a quick visit. I didn't see a story
beating the experience of friends of mine who went on vacation to Greece
and came back with the ultimate souvenir, a Greek birth certificate. Go
>>
Source: Women.com
Body Image
Body
Image: The History of Body Hate and how to heal it
This is one serious article on body image. Of course, with young women
starving themselves to death, I can see that it's hard to adopt a light
hearted tone. This article urges women to turn their focus internally
as "focusing endlessly on how one looks is living a trivial life"
Despite the rather preachy tone that this article sometime adopts, I think
that it raises interesting points. The best part is the list of self-acceptance
exercises and thoughts at the end. Go
>>
Source: Obgyn.net
Risk
Factors in the development of eating disorders
No one really knows all the factors that contribute to someone developing
an eating disorder. Be sure to check out the "Resources" section
which will provide you with a large bibliography of worthy books. Go
>>
Source: American Anorexia Bulimia Association,
Inc.
Plastic
Surgery: What to expect
Written from a super enthusiastic and decidedly PRO-plastic surgery perspective,
this website gives a moderately detailed look at common plastic surgery
procedures. Generally this sounds a bit like a marketing brochure. I.E.
"Body contour surgery (torsoplasty) is basically an aesthetic tuneup
for the entire body." Use this resource after you and your doctor
have decided that surgery is the best option. Easily understood language
describes the general procedure, and tell prospective patients what to
expect after surgery. Go
>>
Source: Health Square
My
life as a breast implant
If you are considering getting enhanced, you'll want to check out this
rather amusing site. Wondered what sleeping on your stomach will be like
post-surgery? Bonus: Tips on spotting the augmented chest. Go
>>
Source: Estronaut.com
Menopause
Managing
Menopause without the use of drugs
Excerpted from the wonderfully named newsletter "Productive Times,"
you'll find menopause tips 'n tricks to help you deal with the symptoms.
Go
>>
Source: Obgyn.net
Menopause
and Weight Gain
Around the age of 30 and again around menopause, women's metabolisms change.
Holiday foods and periods of slight excess don't just lead to slightly
tighter pants, they lead to real weight gain. And it's harder to get it
off! The secret to controlling your weight is to understand the changes
and to adapt your eating and exercising habits. Go
>>
Source:My PrimeTime.com
Minnie
Pauz
An amusing take on "the change of life." Created by a fellow
'flasher who espouses a new type of HRT -- Humour Replacement Theraphy.
Still don't get it . . . sound it out! If you're having a "power
surge" right now, visit
the fan. Go
>>
Source: Www.minniepauz.com
The
Issues in HRT in the treatment of Menopause
Some people view menopause as a medical condition that should be treated
with hormone replacement therapy; others view it as a passage that might
require medical monitoring, but doesn't require treatment. In fact there
are health implications that can arise from both approaches. There are
fierce proponents on both sides of this issue. Get an unbiased overview
of both sides that reports on the most up-to-date research. Go
>>
Source: Obgyn.net
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